Your stay in hospital

During your stay you will be looked after by a team of healthcare professionals who work together to plan and provide your care. You may be seen by different members of the team at different times. The ward is coordinated by the Charge Nurse Manager/Charge Midwife or their deputy. They can assist you if you have any concerns. All staff wear identity badges which contain their name and position, whether they are in uniform or not.

All staff will introduce themselves when they meet you. If you are not sure who they are please ask.

Good hand hygiene

You can help us prevent the spread of infection by encouraging your visitors to wash their hands when entering and leaving the ward, or using sanitising hand gel which is available in all rooms and throughout our facilities.

Visitors should not visit hospital if they are sick. You can expect all clinical staff to clean their hands:

Smoking, alcohol and illegal drugs and substances are not permitted at any Counties Manukau Health site or facility.

Patients who smoke are encouraged to use nicotine replacement therapy to remain comfortably smokefree during their stay. Please ask your doctor or nurse to refer you to the Smokefree Team or call Quit line on 0800 778 for support.

Zero tolerance to violence

Violence in any form in any of our facilities or against our staff will not be tolerated. If a member of staff is physically assaulted or seriously threatened, the organisation will support that staff member to lay a complaint with the police.

Fire Emergencies

If there is an emergency or you hear a fire alarm please stay in your room until a staff member tells you what to do. Do not use the lift.

Emergency accommodation

Some emergency accommodation is available at Whare Rapuora for family or caregivers who live outside of Auckland. Payment is by koha/donation. Please ask your nurse or midwife for more information.

Informed consent

You will to need to provide consent for any treatment or procedure you receive at the hospital. In some instances you may need to sign specific consent forms. Details and options should be communicated to you in a way that ensures you understand what is happening and can make an informed decision without any pressure.

Meals

Each day you will receive a menu with meal choices for the following day. Please fill in the menu and we will do our best to provide your selected meal choice.

Breakfast is served between 7.30am and 8.45am

Lunch between 11.30am and 1.00pm

Dinner between 4.30pm and 6.15pm

If you are on a special diet, have particular cultural requirements or want to talk to a dietitian, please tell your nurse/midwife. Facilities for patients to make coffee and tea are available on each ward.

Please ask your nurse/midwife before eating food brought in to you by visitors.

Security

Security Officers patrol Middlemore Hospital and Manukau Surgery Centre 24 hours a day. Please lock your car at all times and take your valuables with you. Only Middlemore Hospital’s main entrance is open at night.

There is restricted access to Manukau Surgery Centre between 8pm and 7am.

Telephones

There are public telephones, taking both cards and coins, throughout Middlemore Hospital. Phone cards can be purchased at Pulse Café, Florist Shop, Family Circle Pharmacy and Take Note Bookshop. Some wards have bedside phones. Ask your nurse or ward clerk if a phone is available on your ward.

Televisions and radios

There are TVs in most ward lounges. The TV in your room can be hired at your expense.

Contact Hospital TV Hire on (09) 522 2211 before 3pm, 7 days a week. Some reimbursement may be offered if you are required to move beds for whatever reason.

Please do not bring a TV to hospital. Patients may bring a radio (with ear plugs) but the hospital takes no responsibility for the security of your equipment. All rooms in Kidz First Children’s Hospital have TVs.